voiceofsandiego.org: Cartoons... Casualties of the Booze Ban

As a Native San Diegan I am perfectly willing to tolerate the annual 4th of July beach parties but would not mind the booze band to just be for that holiday weekend. I drink less and less with age but do enjoy a beach campfire and a glass of wine or a beer and feel the booze ban has gone way to far to benefit beach dwellers who knew the situation before they moved there. This is similar to those who bought homes in Pt. Loma knowing their homes were in the flight path. I hope the good citizens defeat the booze ban and come up with a sensible temporary restriction that doesn't punish normal, hard working citizens who want to occasionally come to the beach and relax without offending anyone.

Posted by Tierrasantan | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 9:27 am

Putting aside the rather childish drawing, I have to wonder about the mental health of somebody who thinks that you have to have alcohol in order to have the "perfect" experience.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 10:19 am

Great cartoon, except that 3 of the 4 panels are extreme exaggerations. Tierrasantan has it right on, holiday only ban, not all year. Of course, that isn't an option, so vote no on the ban.

Posted by Beavis | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 11:43 am

It's good to hear a Tierrasantan standing up for logic at the beaches. The year-round ban is just Kevin Faulconer's political grandstanding at its worst. The holiday ban that Mayor Jerry Sanders had promoted was the best idea. Why not let San Diegans enjoy San Diego's beaches as they see fit the other 350 days of the year? This ban is not the answer. Creative problem solving is the answer. No one has ever accused our City Councilman of being creative though.

Posted by Countryman | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 12:09 pm

Frame 4 is more like a beach in Mexico. No dogs have been allowed on San Diego beaches unleashed for about 30 years (except designated ones) to respect the freedom of the majority of us to have a safe and peaceful...and yes, PERFECT...day at the beach. JUST like the beach alcohol ban will give us.

Posted by Tankstress | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 12:26 pm

Hey, I'd also like to know what that Sunday morning sidewalk side-step is referring to. Is it another uneducated media assertion that beach alcohol caused the litter in front of your house on Sunday morning? Again, alcohol was only legal until 8pm before the ban, which meant that the trash that showed up at your doorstep was likely placed there by late night house partiers. Everyone and their mama admits that the beach alcohol ban has caused MORE house parties and more of the problems depicted here. Thanks for perpetuating even more pro-ban stupidity with this cartoon.

Posted by Countryman | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 12:36 pm

I think the cartoonist was pointing out in three of the four panels that the problems (trash, bums, and sidewalk waste) are blown out of proportion by those who support the ban...

Posted by Mike | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 2:16 pm

I am going to Vote NO on Prop D! We need to enforce the laws we have not make more new restrictive laws that stop taxpayers from using our public beaches, bays and parks the way the see fit. VOTE NO ON PROP D! No Permanent Alcohol Ban!

Posted by FREEDOM Rules / VOTE NO! | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 4:15 pm

Tierrasantan #1 says that we homeowners in Mission Beach knew of the drunken behavior before we bought there. Speaking only for myself, I am positive that the drunken obnoxious, illegal, and obscene behavior has rapidly gotten worse every year. The success of the total booze ban is praised by homeowners, tourists, and day trippers alike. We are no longer known as the "anything goes, no IDs checked, limited law enforcement, drunk zone" for all of southern California. Bars check IDs, break up fights, and throw out minors and drunks. None of that was done in the drunk zone. Underage and young lookling drinkers never seemed to have IDs in their swimsuits so the SDPD stopped asking. We do not miss the drunks,foul language, frequent fist fights, and litter. If drinking in public is so valued, shouldn't we allow drinking in every park, including in Tierrasanta?

Posted by Mission Beach Homeowner | reply to this comment
August 11, 2008 7:15 pm

This prohibition was enacted as a purely political move to advance the career of tin-pot Mussolini Kevin Faulconer at the expense of the citizens of San Diego. Using the overreaction of SDPD on July 4th, 2007 as a pretext for this prohibition, Faulconer and his cronies on the City Council used their own version of the Reichstag fire to abridge the freedom of law abiding citizens to enjoy a can of beer on the beach. Communities and parks all along the coast have followed in fascist lock-step with their own prohibitions. The motivation for Faulconer's flip-flop, a reversal of his election pledge to oppose such a ban, is transparent. He stands to rake in donations and influence from developers and wealthy oceanfront property owners who want to turn San Diego's beaches into a restricted resort community for the rich. Vote for freedom and the American way of life.

Posted by Real American | reply to this comment
August 12, 2008 11:54 am

Many are for a holiday only ban, citing the rights of "normal" people to be able to drink at the beach. If it is okay for Mr. A to have two beers at the beach, then it is okay for Mr B to have a kegger, inviting any and all to join him in a party. Perhaps Mr B is content to just sit and look at the sunset, but those others at his keg are looking for trouble now. Without a total ban, how do we decide who gets to drink and how much? If you allow one beer on Monday, then you have to allow 5 kegs on Saturday. Otherwise it is discrimination.

Posted by sky173 | reply to this comment
August 12, 2008 4:33 pm

No, Tierrasantan, you're wrong. I moved to the beach in 1999 and it was definitely NOT the belligerent drunkfest the beach became in recent years. Each year, as word spread through the SW and LA radio stations announced that PB and MB were THE place to go to "party" and drink to oblivion, the situation deteriorated. Every sunny weekend became the excuse for drinking games staged by binge and underage drinkers. All these folks who claim they want to enjoy "a cold one" or glass of wine while watching the sunset have no idea what it's like to live surrounded by screaming, violent beach drunks spewing filth and urinating in public. Make the ban permanent!

Posted by PB Living | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 9:23 am

I say it is all or nothing. Let us have all beaches, bays and parks allow alcohol or NOT! I have lived here all my life and the ridiculous statement of it only happening during the summer is just that. Any sunny day is a reason for the crazy behavior that has become the norm at our beaches. If you do not live here, you don't understand it. And, if you live here, and you think your freedom is more important - think about how much you will be willing to pay for that drink on the beach. Cause it will cost you soon enough. Vote Yes for Proposition 'D'. If it is good enough for Hawaii to have Alcohol-Free beaches, it is good enough for ours.

Posted by Diane in Sail Bay | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 9:51 am

I love to have a beer at the beach on a hot day. BUT, with several grandkids visiting this summer, I noticed that the beaches were all unusually quiet and peaceful. Then I realized, no blaring boom boxes, no screaming 20-somethings, way less trash strewn about, etc. Rather, lots of families with young children, well behaved surfers and sun tanners, and space to spread a blanket without having to move trash. If this is what I get in exchange for skipping my one or two beers, it's a terrific bargain. KEEP THE BAN!!!

Posted by Another Tierrasantan | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 1:21 pm

Another variable that we all have to face is that the world, including San Diego, is infinitely more crowded than it was 50, 20, 10 years ago. More people = more need to ensure that we respect each other's right to peace, cleaniliness and order. In 1960, a thousand people drinking on SD beaches was no problem. In 2008, ten thousand doing the same thing is a BIG problem.

Posted by Another Tierrasantan | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 1:28 pm

Tierrasantan, you need a history lesson. PB was a laid-back community. But the population in central PB DOUBLED between 1990 and 2000 as single family homes converted to apartments and mini-dorms. A good portion of the newcomers are drunken losers...there, I said it. Airplanes were flying noisily out of Dutch Flats (now Lindbergh Field) over Point Loma for more that EIGHTY YEARS. Pacific Beach has only been overrun with drunken losers for about TEN YEARS. T-san, most of us have been in San Diego for more than ten years. We get it. PB is a craphole now..but it's not too late to reverse the trend. Your flawed simile doesn't fly. BTW, I don't live near the beach. I just like to go there without hassling with the hordes of drunken losers. Yes on D.

Posted by Bayguy | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 1:52 pm

"He stands to rake in donations and influence from developers and wealthy oceanfront property owners who want to turn San Diego's beaches into a restricted resort community for the rich." Real American, old friend...the beaches are PUBLIC LAND. I can visit anytime I want to. I don't live near the beach. This is about MY right, as a hardworking, Native San Diegan/American, to go to the beach any time I want to without being hassled by pinheaded drunken frat boys. It's also about my right as a taxpayer to have enough cops on duty to keep my neighborhood safe..which is negatively impacted when the cops have to provide babysitting services to hordes of beach drunks. My rights are now protected..Yes on D. You don't like real estate prices near the beach...fine, but you're on the wrong forum to change that.

Posted by Bayguy | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 2:14 pm

Countryman, interesting points. But you need to think them through, and pay more attention to the facts available to us. Yes, there were a few more house party complaints on the 4th of July this year. Eight, to be exact. The difference is, the police were able to respond to EVERY SINGLE house party call this year. Last year, most of those calls went unanswered. Yes, MORE house parties now...but fewer problems. And you seem to be arguing with yourself on the community litter issue. Yes, beach drinking used to end at 8 p.m. That's exactly when the beach drinkers left the sand, leaving trash and various bodily fluids marking their path back to their cars. Yes, house-party guests also contributed to the problem, as do bar patrons. But the beach people also did their part.

Posted by Bayguy | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 2:26 pm

FREEDOM Rules wrote: "more new restrictive laws that stop taxpayers from using our public beaches, bays and parks the way the see fit." Sparky, the way I see fit is to use our public land in a responsible fashion. I don't get drunk in public. I don't leave trash all over the beach. I don't get drunk and harrass other beachgoers. I don't urinate in public. I don't puke on the sand. I don't need rides to detox, provided by the cops at close to 100 dollars each, billed to the taxpayers. Those are the behaviors that have been reduced by the temporary ban. The only restriction is that I can't drink alcohol. Cry me a river, my friend, on balance it's a good thing. Yes on D.

Posted by Bayguy | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 2:34 pm

If I have learned but one thing in reading comments on this site, lo these many years, it is that when one particular group forms a bandwagon, climbs on board, and makes a big ruckus about one side or another of an issue, you can bet your bottom dollar that the opposing side is destined to triumph. Thus it is with the beach booze ban. Oh, we see writer after writer decry the loss of American freedoms and our precious liberty, itself. Why, it is the very end of civilization as we know it. And, let's not forget that quiet couple from Poway, with grandchildren in tow, who no longer can sit on the sand and gently sip a glass of Two Buck Chuck as the sun sets. If the ban doesn't win at least 63 percent of the vote, I'll be the first to volunteer to pour_the first glass.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
August 13, 2008 4:05 pm

Why allow beach drinking when everywhere in the nation it is forbidden to drink in pubilc places? Why the double standard? The Beach had become a party place where you had loud, drunk obnoxious people come in and ruin the lives of everybody because it was the only place where people were allowed that kind of activity and behavior. The beach is like a park. It is a place where people, kids and families can enjoy outdoor activities together in a respectful and lawful manner. If drinking at the beach is to be allowed back, then every park nationwide should receive the same status. The benefit of the geographical distribution of this kind of people would allow for the beach to get less of those people in a single concentrated area

Posted by Mission beach home owner2 | reply to this comment
August 17, 2008 12:32 pm

You're trying to talk sense and will get nowhere with this crowd. (Remember, after all, what their avocation is -- drinking). Don't confuse them with facts. Their heads hurt bad enough every morning, anyway.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
August 17, 2008 9:56 pm

I am going to Vote No on the permanent alcohol ban! There must be another way. Prohibition did not work before and it will not work today. The people of San Diego will show our City Council and a minority group of loud residents in PB that we want the freedom to enjoy a beverage of choice at our beaches, bays and parks. What we have is an enforcement problem~ ENFORCE THE CURRENT LAWS AND STOP MAKING NEW RESTRICTIVE LAWS THAT PUNISH THE MASSES FOR THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE FEW. An interesting read: link

Posted by Jerry Roman | reply to this comment
August 21, 2008 6:12 pm

it shames me to see how many people want to tell others what they can and cannot do. san diego is becoming increasingly stifling to anybody who decides to step out of the box of "citizen normal" . listen to these peoples reasons for wanting the ban permanent-: less foul language, less riffraff and drunk idiots. it sounds like most people for the ban are extremely anal retentive, and most likely christians. whats next? I cant take my boombox to the beach because you dont like techno music?? last year it wasnt alcohol that fueled the beach riot, it was over-reactive, power tripping cops.no shortage of them in sd... keep ban in ur church stop treating adults like children even if they act like it. that is freedom. if you dont like it then move to china, the government will hold your hand through life so you can feel safe in urbubbles

Posted by barcell | reply to this comment
September 1, 2008 10:15 pm

Casualties of the Booze Ban

-- E-mail Ashley Pingree Lewis at ashley.p.lewis@gmail.com